The novel coronavirus, as we all know, is an acute respiratoryillness with symptoms like intense coughing episodes and troubled breathing.Over the past few weeks, we¡¯ve heard ofseveral patients across the globe sharing their terrifying accounts, describing how the infection worsens with each progressing day.
While all of these cases can be terrifying, one doctor fromthe UK has offered all of us a sense of relief with a breathing method. DrSarfaraz Munshi, who works at Queen's Hospital in Romford, said the practice isused on intensive care patients but can help anyone fight off infection.
In a viral YouTube video, he attributes the creation of the technique to his colleague Sue Elliot, adirector of nursing uses the techniques regularly with patients in theintensive care unit.
Dr Sarfaraz Munshi, urgent care lead at Queen's Hospital,has shared a breathing technique which could help relieve the symptoms ofCOVID-19.
Serious complications and death due to COVID-19 are largelydue to the virus impacting the respiratory system, including the functioning ofthe lungs, so for people facing early symptoms Dr Sarfaraz Munshi recommendsthe following breathing exercise:
1. The doctor explains that all you need to do is takefive deep breaths in and hold each one for five seconds.
2. After the fifth exhale, take a deep breath andhold it again for five seconds after which you have to a big cough to push out theair from your lungs, whilst covering your mouth.
3. Repeat the drill a few more times and lay downflat on your belly with the pillow as a support in the front.
In the video, Dr Sarfaraz Munshi goes on to explain that complication and death due to COVID-19 are largely due to the virus impacting therespiratory system, including the functioning of the lungs.
He said: "Please remember, and this is the important part, lying in bed for prolonged periods on your back will close offthe small airways. You've got to understand, the majority of your lung is onyour back, not on your front, so, by lying on your back you're covering offmore of the smaller airways."
In the video heexplains, "this is not good during a period of infection and can lead toatelectasis. This can then lead to a secondary pneumonia that can make yourcondition deteriorate much further - bearing in mind the patients that aredeteriorating are deteriorating because of respiratory problems."
It must be remembered that our lungs are at the back, lying down flat on our backs can obstruct breathing.
Praising the breathing technique, Rowling said it helped herrecover from a suspected case of the coronavirus. "For last 2 weeks I'vehad all symptoms of C19 (tho haven't been tested)," Rowling said on herTwitter account. She also shared a video of a breathing technique that she saidhad helped her manage her worst symptoms and had been recommended by herhusband, who is a doctor in the U.K.